All-Time Rankings
Who were the best players at each position since 1970 — once you adjust for the era they played in? These rankings use NFL Dynasty's ratings, which compare each player's peak with a franchise against the average starter of that same season (full method). A player who starred for two teams appears once, at his best stop.
Jump to: QB · RB · WR · TE · Defense · Strongest lineups
Top 25 Quarterbacks
| Player | Team | Season | Peak season | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peyton Manning | Colts 2000s | 2004 | 4,557 pass yds, 49 TD, 10 INT | 98 |
| Tom Brady | Patriots 2000s | 2007 | 4,806 pass yds, 50 TD, 8 INT | 98 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Packers 2010s | 2011 | 4,636 pass yds, 45 TD, 6 INT | 98 |
| Drew Brees | Saints 2010s | 2011 | 5,535 pass yds, 46 TD, 14 INT | 97 |
| Dan Marino | Dolphins 1980s | 1984 | 5,084 pass yds, 48 TD, 17 INT | 96 |
| Daunte Culpepper | Vikings 2000s | 2004 | 4,717 pass yds, 39 TD, 11 INT, 406 rush yds | 95 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs 2010s | 2018 | 5,097 pass yds, 50 TD, 12 INT | 95 |
| Matt Ryan | Falcons 2010s | 2016 | 4,944 pass yds, 38 TD, 7 INT | 93 |
| Warren Moon | Oilers 1990s | 1990 | 4,689 pass yds, 33 TD, 13 INT | 92 |
| Steve Young | 49ers 1990s | 1994 | 3,969 pass yds, 35 TD, 10 INT | 92 |
| Lamar Jackson | Ravens 2020s | 2024 | 4,172 pass yds, 41 TD, 4 INT, 915 rush yds | 92 |
| Ken Anderson | Bengals 1970s | 1975 | 3,169 pass yds, 21 TD, 11 INT | 91 |
| Joe Montana | 49ers 1980s | 1989 | 3,521 pass yds, 26 TD, 8 INT | 90 |
| Philip Rivers | Chargers 2010s | 2010 | 4,710 pass yds, 30 TD, 13 INT | 90 |
| Joe Burrow | Bengals 2020s | 2024 | 4,918 pass yds, 43 TD, 9 INT | 90 |
| Bert Jones | Colts 1970s | 1976 | 3,104 pass yds, 24 TD, 9 INT | 89 |
| Jeff Garcia | 49ers 2000s | 2000 | 4,238 pass yds, 31 TD, 9 INT, 403 rush yds | 89 |
| Rich Gannon | Raiders 2000s | 2002 | 4,689 pass yds, 26 TD, 10 INT | 89 |
| Fran Tarkenton | Vikings 1970s | 1975 | 2,994 pass yds, 25 TD, 13 INT | 88 |
| Dan Fouts | Chargers 1980s | 1981 | 4,802 pass yds, 33 TD, 17 INT | 88 |
| Randall Cunningham | Vikings 1990s | 1998 | 3,704 pass yds, 34 TD, 10 INT | 88 |
| Ben Roethlisberger | Steelers 2010s | 2014 | 4,952 pass yds, 32 TD, 9 INT | 88 |
| Deshaun Watson | Texans 2020s | 2020 | 4,823 pass yds, 33 TD, 7 INT, 444 rush yds | 88 |
| Josh Allen | Bills 2020s | 2020 | 4,544 pass yds, 37 TD, 10 INT, 421 rush yds | 88 |
| Dak Prescott | Cowboys 2020s | 2023 | 4,516 pass yds, 36 TD, 9 INT | 88 |
Top 25 Running Backs
| Player | Team | Season | Peak season | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priest Holmes | Chiefs 2000s | 2003 | 1,420 rush yds, 27 TD, 74 rec | 99 |
| LaDainian Tomlinson | Chargers 2000s | 2006 | 1,815 rush yds, 28 TD, 56 rec | 99 |
| Emmitt Smith | Cowboys 1990s | 1995 | 1,773 rush yds, 25 TD, 62 rec | 97 |
| Shaun Alexander | Seahawks 2000s | 2005 | 1,880 rush yds, 27 TD, 15 rec | 94 |
| Marshall Faulk | Rams 2000s | 2001 | 1,382 rush yds, 12 TD, 83 rec | 93 |
| Christian McCaffrey | Panthers 2010s | 2019 | 1,387 rush yds, 15 TD, 116 rec | 92 |
| Arian Foster | Texans 2010s | 2010 | 1,614 rush yds, 16 TD, 66 rec | 91 |
| Adrian Peterson | Vikings 2010s | 2012 | 2,097 rush yds, 12 TD, 40 rec | 91 |
| Walter Payton | Bears 1970s | 1977 | 1,852 rush yds, 14 TD, 27 rec | 90 |
| Terrell Davis | Broncos 1990s | 1998 | 2,008 rush yds, 21 TD, 25 rec | 90 |
| Tiki Barber | Giants 2000s | 2005 | 1,860 rush yds, 9 TD, 54 rec | 90 |
| Larry Johnson | Chiefs 2000s | 2005 | 1,750 rush yds, 20 TD, 33 rec | 90 |
| Chris Johnson | Titans 2000s | 2009 | 2,006 rush yds, 14 TD, 50 rec | 90 |
| Todd Gurley | Rams 2010s | 2017 | 1,305 rush yds, 13 TD, 64 rec | 90 |
| O.J. Simpson | Bills 1970s | 1973 | 2,003 rush yds, 12 TD, 6 rec | 89 |
| Ahman Green | Packers 2000s | 2003 | 1,883 rush yds, 15 TD, 50 rec | 89 |
| Derrick Henry | Titans 2020s | 2020 | 2,027 rush yds, 17 TD, 19 rec | 89 |
| Barry Sanders | Lions 1990s | 1997 | 2,053 rush yds, 11 TD, 33 rec | 88 |
| Edgerrin James | Colts 2000s | 2000 | 1,690 rush yds, 13 TD, 61 rec | 88 |
| Ray Rice | Ravens 2010s | 2011 | 1,364 rush yds, 12 TD, 76 rec | 88 |
| Le'Veon Bell | Steelers 2010s | 2017 | 1,291 rush yds, 9 TD, 86 rec | 88 |
| Chuck Foreman | Vikings 1970s | 1975 | 1,070 rush yds, 13 TD, 73 rec | 87 |
| Earl Campbell | Oilers 1970s | 1979 | 1,697 rush yds, 19 TD, 16 rec | 87 |
| Marcus Allen | Raiders 1980s | 1985 | 1,759 rush yds, 11 TD, 67 rec | 87 |
| Steven Jackson | Rams 2000s | 2006 | 1,528 rush yds, 13 TD, 90 rec | 87 |
Top 25 Wide Receivers
| Player | Team | Season | Peak season | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Harrison | Colts 2000s | 2002 | 1,722 rec yds, 11 TD, 143 rec | 99 |
| Calvin Johnson | Lions 2010s | 2011 | 1,686 rec yds, 16 TD, 97 rec | 99 |
| Antonio Brown | Steelers 2010s | 2014 | 1,698 rec yds, 13 TD, 129 rec | 99 |
| Randy Moss | Vikings 2000s | 2003 | 1,632 rec yds, 17 TD, 111 rec | 98 |
| Davante Adams | Packers 2020s | 2020 | 1,374 rec yds, 18 TD, 115 rec | 98 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | Bengals 2020s | 2024 | 1,708 rec yds, 17 TD, 127 rec | 98 |
| Jerry Rice | 49ers 1990s | 1995 | 1,848 rec yds, 15 TD, 122 rec | 97 |
| Cooper Kupp | Rams 2020s | 2021 | 1,947 rec yds, 16 TD, 145 rec | 97 |
| Justin Jefferson | Vikings 2020s | 2022 | 1,809 rec yds, 8 TD, 128 rec | 96 |
| Julio Jones | Falcons 2010s | 2015 | 1,871 rec yds, 8 TD, 136 rec | 95 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | Texans 2010s | 2017 | 1,378 rec yds, 13 TD, 96 rec | 95 |
| Tyreek Hill | Dolphins 2020s | 2023 | 1,799 rec yds, 13 TD, 119 rec | 95 |
| Herman Moore | Lions 1990s | 1995 | 1,686 rec yds, 14 TD, 123 rec | 94 |
| Isaac Bruce | Rams 1990s | 1995 | 1,781 rec yds, 13 TD, 119 rec | 94 |
| Terrell Owens | 49ers 2000s | 2001 | 1,412 rec yds, 16 TD, 93 rec | 94 |
| Torry Holt | Rams 2000s | 2003 | 1,696 rec yds, 12 TD, 117 rec | 94 |
| Jordy Nelson | Packers 2010s | 2014 | 1,519 rec yds, 13 TD, 98 rec | 94 |
| Demaryius Thomas | Broncos 2010s | 2014 | 1,619 rec yds, 11 TD, 111 rec | 94 |
| Michael Thomas | Saints 2010s | 2019 | 1,725 rec yds, 9 TD, 149 rec | 94 |
| CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys 2020s | 2023 | 1,749 rec yds, 12 TD, 135 rec | 94 |
| Mark Clayton | Dolphins 1980s | 1984 | 1,389 rec yds, 18 TD, 73 rec | 93 |
| Andre Johnson | Texans 2000s | 2009 | 1,569 rec yds, 9 TD, 101 rec | 93 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Cardinals 2000s | 2008 | 1,434 rec yds, 12 TD, 96 rec | 92 |
| Dez Bryant | Cowboys 2010s | 2014 | 1,320 rec yds, 16 TD, 88 rec | 92 |
| Stefon Diggs | Bills 2020s | 2020 | 1,535 rec yds, 8 TD, 127 rec | 92 |
Top 25 Tight Ends
| Player | Team | Season | Peak season | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Gronkowski | Patriots 2010s | 2011 | 1,327 rec yds, 17 TD, 90 rec | 99 |
| Jimmy Graham | Saints 2010s | 2013 | 1,215 rec yds, 16 TD, 86 rec | 99 |
| Travis Kelce | Chiefs 2020s | 2022 | 1,338 rec yds, 12 TD, 110 rec | 99 |
| Tony Gonzalez | Chiefs 2000s | 2008 | 1,058 rec yds, 10 TD, 96 rec | 97 |
| Kellen Winslow | Chargers 1980s | 1980 | 1,290 rec yds, 9 TD, 89 rec | 95 |
| Antonio Gates | Chargers 2000s | 2005 | 1,101 rec yds, 10 TD, 89 rec | 94 |
| Mark Andrews | Ravens 2020s | 2021 | 1,361 rec yds, 9 TD, 107 rec | 94 |
| Jason Witten | Cowboys 2010s | 2010 | 1,002 rec yds, 9 TD, 94 rec | 93 |
| George Kittle | 49ers 2020s | 2024 | 1,106 rec yds, 8 TD, 78 rec | 93 |
| Todd Christensen | Raiders 1980s | 1986 | 1,153 rec yds, 8 TD, 95 rec | 90 |
| Zach Ertz | Eagles 2010s | 2018 | 1,163 rec yds, 8 TD, 116 rec | 90 |
| Darren Waller | Raiders 2020s | 2020 | 1,196 rec yds, 9 TD, 107 rec | 90 |
| Ben Coates | Patriots 1990s | 1994 | 1,174 rec yds, 7 TD, 96 rec | 89 |
| Vernon Davis | 49ers 2000s | 2009 | 965 rec yds, 13 TD, 78 rec | 89 |
| Dallas Clark | Colts 2000s | 2009 | 1,106 rec yds, 10 TD, 100 rec | 89 |
| Wesley Walls | Panthers 1990s | 1996 | 919 rec yds, 10 TD, 61 rec | 86 |
| Shannon Sharpe | Broncos 1990s | 1997 | 1,107 rec yds, 3 TD, 72 rec | 86 |
| Greg Olsen | Panthers 2010s | 2015 | 1,104 rec yds, 7 TD, 77 rec | 86 |
| Brock Bowers | Raiders 2020s | 2024 | 1,194 rec yds, 5 TD, 112 rec | 86 |
| Sam LaPorta | Lions 2020s | 2023 | 889 rec yds, 10 TD, 86 rec | 85 |
| Todd Heap | Ravens 2000s | 2002 | 836 rec yds, 6 TD, 68 rec | 84 |
| Delanie Walker | Titans 2010s | 2015 | 1,088 rec yds, 6 TD, 94 rec | 84 |
| Jordan Matthews | Eagles 2010s | 2015 | 997 rec yds, 8 TD, 85 rec | 84 |
| Jordan Reed | Redskins 2010s | 2015 | 952 rec yds, 11 TD, 87 rec | 83 |
| Jonnu Smith | Dolphins 2020s | 2024 | 884 rec yds, 8 TD, 88 rec | 83 |
Top 25 Team Defense seasons
| Player | Team | Season | Peak season | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams Defense | Rams 1970s | 1975 | 9.6 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 97 |
| Ravens Defense | Ravens 2000s | 2000 | 10.3 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 95 |
| Vikings Defense | Vikings 1970s | 1971 | 9.9 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 92 |
| Colts Defense | Colts 1970s | 1971 | 10.0 points allowed per game (#2 in NFL) | 91 |
| Steelers Defense | Steelers 1970s | 1976 | 9.9 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 91 |
| Bears Defense | Bears 1980s | 1985 | 12.4 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 91 |
| Buccaneers Defense | Buccaneers 2000s | 2002 | 12.2 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 91 |
| Seahawks Defense | Seahawks 2010s | 2013 | 14.4 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 90 |
| Dolphins Defense | Dolphins 1970s | 1973 | 10.7 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 89 |
| Titans Defense | Titans 2000s | 2000 | 11.9 points allowed per game (#2 in NFL) | 89 |
| Patriots Defense | Patriots 2010s | 2019 | 14.1 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 89 |
| Panthers Defense | Panthers 2010s | 2013 | 15.1 points allowed per game (#2 in NFL) | 88 |
| Falcons Defense | Falcons 1970s | 1977 | 9.2 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 87 |
| Bears Defense | Bears 2000s | 2005 | 12.6 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 87 |
| Steelers Defense | Steelers 2000s | 2008 | 13.9 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 87 |
| Steelers Defense | Steelers 2010s | 2011 | 14.2 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 87 |
| 49ers Defense | 49ers 2010s | 2011 | 14.3 points allowed per game (#2 in NFL) | 86 |
| Browns Defense | Browns 1990s | 1994 | 12.8 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 85 |
| Packers Defense | Packers 1990s | 1996 | 13.1 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 84 |
| Jaguars Defense | Jaguars 1990s | 1999 | 13.6 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 84 |
| Eagles Defense | Eagles 2000s | 2001 | 13.0 points allowed per game (#2 in NFL) | 84 |
| Packers Defense | Packers 2010s | 2010 | 15.0 points allowed per game (#2 in NFL) | 84 |
| Raiders Defense | Raiders 1970s | 1973 | 12.5 points allowed per game (#3 in NFL) | 83 |
| Eagles Defense | Eagles 1980s | 1981 | 13.8 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 83 |
| 49ers Defense | 49ers 1980s | 1984 | 14.2 points allowed per game (#1 in NFL) | 83 |
The 20 strongest team-decade lineups
All 153 franchise-decade boards ranked by the team rating of their best possible five (top QB, RB, WR, TE and defense). "Expected record" is what that roster averages over many simulated 17-game seasons; "vs '07 Pats" is its win probability in 16-0 Boss mode.
| # | Board | Best five (QB · RB · WR · TE · DEF) | Team rating | Expected | vs '07 Pats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000s Colts | Manning · James · Harrison · Clark · Defense | 90.8 | 15-2 | 26.0% |
| 2 | 2010s Steelers | Roethlisberger · Bell · Brown · Miller · Defense | 88.8 | 15-2 | 17.7% |
| 3 | 2010s Saints | Brees · Ingram · Thomas · Graham · Defense | 88.8 | 15-2 | 17.4% |
| 4 | 2010s Packers | Rodgers · Jones · Nelson · Finley · Defense | 88.1 | 14-3 | 15.1% |
| 5 | 2010s Falcons | Ryan · Freeman · Jones · Gonzalez · Defense | 86.8 | 14-3 | 11.3% |
| 6 | 2000s Patriots | Brady · Dillon · Moss · Graham · Defense | 86.4 | 14-3 | 10.5% |
| 7 | 2010s Broncos | Manning · Moreno · Thomas · Thomas · Defense | 85.8 | 13-4 | 9.0% |
| 8 | 2010s Seahawks | Wilson · Lynch · Baldwin · Graham · Defense | 85.3 | 13-4 | 8.1% |
| 9 | 2000s 49ers | Garcia · Gore · Owens · Davis · Defense | 85.3 | 13-4 | 8.1% |
| 10 | 2010s Cowboys | Romo · Elliott · Bryant · Witten · Defense | 84.9 | 13-4 | 7.5% |
| 11 | 2000s Titans | McNair · Johnson · Mason · Wycheck · Defense | 84.5 | 12-5 | 6.8% |
| 12 | 2020s Ravens | Jackson · Henry · Brown · Andrews · Defense | 84.5 | 12-5 | 6.7% |
| 13 | 1980s 49ers | Montana · Craig · Rice · Frank · Defense | 84.2 | 12-5 | 6.3% |
| 14 | 2010s Chiefs | Mahomes · Charles · Bowe · Moeaki · Defense | 83.8 | 12-5 | 5.7% |
| 15 | 2010s Panthers | Newton · McCaffrey · Benjamin · Olsen · Defense | 83.8 | 12-5 | 5.7% |
| 16 | 2000s Chargers | Brees · Tomlinson · Jackson · Gates · Defense | 83.7 | 12-5 | 5.6% |
| 17 | 1980s Dolphins | Marino · Nathan · Clayton · Hardy · Defense | 83.7 | 12-5 | 5.5% |
| 18 | 1970s Vikings | Tarkenton · Foreman · Rashad · Beasley · Defense | 83.5 | 12-5 | 5.4% |
| 19 | 2000s Vikings | Culpepper · Smith · Moss · Shiancoe · Defense | 83.5 | 12-5 | 5.4% |
| 20 | 1990s Packers | Favre · Levens · Sharpe · Chmura · Defense | 83.5 | 12-5 | 5.3% |